Police Minister Nathi Nhleko has made an about-turn on his earlier undertaking that the police AND the army will intervene in Port Elizabeth's gang-plagued Northern Areas.
Nhleko visited the Northern Areas on Thursday, after which he addressed the media on, what the police calls, "Operation Lockdown" which is aimed at curbing gang violence.
During a visit last month, Nhleko indicated that the army will be part of the intervention.
When asked about it today, Nhleko said the army would NOT be deployed.
However, they will provide a support role when the ongoing "Operation Fiela" rolls into the Northern Areas again.
Nhleko did not provide any time-frames or details, apart from saying that there were plans in this regard.
Police are currently in the process of implementing Operation Lockdown and Nhleko says deployments are in progress.
He says since the 11th of this month, police have confiscated six firearms, a quantity of drugs and just on R100 000 rand in cash.
He says there have been six arrests.
Nhleko was asked whether the police operation is timed with a view on the local government elections later this year, but he laughed off the question, shaking his head in denial.
No exact figures such as police numbers, have been given on Operation Lockdown.
